Barnesville C of C discusses impact of gas and oil on local businesses

Cathryn StanleyBarnesville BureauPublished: February 22, 2013 1:00PM

BARNESVILLE -- The impact upon Barnesville residents and the hoped-for resulting impact upon local businesses was discussed by members of the Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce at its February meeting held at the Barnesville Senior Center.

Village Administrator Roger Deal said that the "hot topic" in the village was the signing of gas and oil leases with Antero Resources for those who own property within the village limits. He said that the village is also seeing increased activity in requests from oil and gas "fracking" companies to purchase water from the village. Deal said many contracts are currently being processed and the village is now selling water from the Slope Creek Reservoir that will generate $125,000 for the village.

"It think this activity will benefit the village and the residents," Deal said. "I hope we can hold on to the money to make it last into the future."

"It is the small leases that will move the needle in terms of economy of small businesses," said Chamber President Bill Steedle. He said the money residents receive from these leases will impact the local businesses and chamber members who should be ready to welcome their business.

In a change of format announced at the January meeting, member are forgoing the long-held tradition of each attendee taking a turn to speak, and instead are scheduling monthly speakers. After hearing from a representative of Comcast Business Class and the new advertising representative of 93-WBNV radio station, Ron Bischof, Barnesville mayor and owner of Bischof Insurance and Financial Services, spoke about his business and the constant changes being made to employee insurance benefits due to the passing of President Obama's Health Care Act.

President Steedle said that the chamber is ordering 150 new American flags, manufactured in Coshocton, Ohio, to be displayed on downtown village streets. Steedle said in addition to the 150 new flags purchased with money donated to the chamber's flag fund, started by the late Bill and Irene Cowgill, the chamber is ordering 50 flags with grommets that will be available for purchase for the reduced price of $20 each.

Steedle said the chamber-operated Bureau of Motor Vehicles office recently erected a new sign. Steedle said the sign stands out from the building and draws attention to it. Steedle said both full and part-time employees of the BMV were recently given "modest" pay raises. He asked chamber members to give the employees positive feedback.